James christopher glaccum



(N0 Modal.) I

J. 0. GLAGGUM. MOISTENER FOR CIGAR BOXES- No.543,9 89. PatentedAug.6,1895.

V WITNESSES: INVENTOI? UNTTED STATns ATENT Darren.

JAM-ES CHRISTOPHER GLACCUM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MOISTEN ER FOR CIGAR-BOXES.

PEPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,989, dated August 6, 1895.

' Applicati n filed March a, 1895. Serial n e 10,745. (N0 model.)

To aZZ whom it mayconcern:

Be it known that I, JAMES CHRISTOPHER GLACOUM, of New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented an Improved Moistener for Cigar-Boxes, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention is an improved attachment for moistening commercial cigars contained in ordinary cigar-boxes, sealed or unsealed, and while exhibited for sale or kept in stock.

The object of my invention is to provide an exceedingly cheap and simple device which can be attached to any of the cigar-boxes now in use, or to any box the contents of which it is desired to keep moist.

Another object is to construct a moistener which can be replenished with water whenever desired without opening or raising the end of the box; and a still further object is to provide a moistener through which the air will pass in entering the box and be moistened prior to its entrance into the box.

My invention consists in constructing this metallic case orreceptacle from a single piece of sheet metal, perforating the case to permit the passage of air, and providing an outer fiap which can be bent down at will to remove the pad, or up to close the case and hold the pad, and cars at each end forattaohment to a box.

My invention consists, also, in certain details of construction and combination of parts,

all of which will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a view from the interior of an ordinary cigar-box provided with my improved moistener. Fig. 2 is a view from the outside. Fig. 3 is adetail view of the blank from which the case or receptacle is made, and Fig. 4 a detail perspective view of the case completed and ready for attachment to the cigar-box.

This moistener, though preferably used in connection with commercial cigar-boxes for the purpose of keeping the cigars moist, can also be used in connection with other storageboxes, and in the..application of the same it is only necessary to cut an opening in the side or top of the box, insert the moistener case or receptacle, and secure the same upon the outside.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the side of a box, B an opening made therein, and O the case or receptacle containing the absorbent-pad D.

The opening B is shown as rectangular in shape, and likewise the case C; but this is not at all necessary, as the case can be made in any shape desired. This case Ois made of sheet metal, zinc being preferred, on account of its cheapness, flexibility, and ability to stand moisture without corroding. The case is also struck up from a single piece of sheet metal, and comprises the inner side a, which is perforated, as shown, the top and bottom sides 0 c, the end pieces 0 0 the attaching ears 0 c adjoining the end pieces, and the outer side or flap c adjoining the bottom side. The blank shown in Fig. 3 is bent up into shape, as shown in Fig. 4, thereby forming a box-like case or receptacle adapted to receive and hold the pad D of absorbent material, felt being preferred.

The case is so shapedand sized as to snugly fit the opening B into which it is inserted from theoutside, the ears a resting upon the outside face of the box and are secured thereto by short nails or sprigs E. If desired, these cars could be formed with integral spurs 0 which could be pressed into the wood and hold the case in place, thus dispensing with.

the nails and sprigs and permitting a more convenient mode of attaching and detaching the moistener.

The corners of the flap are cut away, as

shown at c, and the edge is notched at 0 the purpose of such construction enabling the flap to be opened more easily with thefinger, and it also provides for the passage of air through the pad and perforated side into the box.

Now, in operation the case is attached as shown in Figs. land 2. The pad is then moistened with water, inserted in the case,

and the flap pressed up, holding the pad in place, and it will be noticed that this pad exactly fits the case, so that no air can enter the box without first passing through the pad. The air in so passing is thoroughly moistened and enters the box through the perforated side of the case. Should the pad become dry in time, the flap can be pressed out a short distance, the pad removed, moistened, and replaced.

It will thus be noticed that this moistener can be applied to sealed boxes having the revenue-stam p thereon unbroken, and the pad can be remoistened as often as desired without opening the lid or breaking the seal.

The device can be made very cheaply, so that the box with moistener attached can be thrown away when the box is empty.

The case is constructed of exceedingly thin material, so that it will not project from either the inside or outside of the cigar-box to any appreciable extent, and by making said case of such thin material the flap will only last about as long as the cigar-box is in use, and this is a very desirable feature, as it prevents the case being applied to any other cigar-box.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As an improved article of manufacture, a case for a cigar moistener, constructed of a single piece of sheet metal, comprising a perforated body portion to receive an absorbent pad, the integral cars at each end, by means of which said case is attached to a cigar box, and an integral tlap or cover for holding a pad in said case, substantially as shown and described.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a moistening device, comprising a perforated metallic case, formed of a single piece of sheet metal, having the integral cars at each end for attachment to a cigar box, and an integral flap for holding a pad within the case, and a pad of absorbent material arranged within said case, substantially as shown and described. t 4

3. In a moistener for cigar and otherboxes, the combination with a box, having an opening in its side, of a perforated metal case adapted to fit Within said opening and having cars at each end by means of which it is attached to said box Within the opening, a pad located within the case, and the outer flap or cover connected with said case and adapted to hold the pad therein, said flap being arranged upon the exterior of the box, whereby said flap may be opened, and the pad withdrawn or inserted, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of witnesses.

JAMES CHRISTOPHER GMCCUM.

Witnesses:

WENDELIN J. ANDERER, MICHAEL DEMPSEY, II. C. AL'IEMAN. 

